Jogger runs marathon to aid women's center

LaHouse did just that in mid-January when he ran the Chevron Houston Marathon to raise money for a new 3D ultrasound machine for the Pregnancy Help Center of West Houston.

Founded in 1989, the Pregnancy Help Center of West Houston provides counseling, fetal development classes and other services for women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. LaHouse has been involved with the center in various capacities for the past 12 years, but when he learned that its current ultrasound machine was in its sixth year after its recommended service life, he knew he had to act.

"When this need came up, it was such a targeted need that I thought this would be a good venue to get potential donors' attention," he said.

He was right. LaHouse was able to find someone to sponsor each of the marathon's 26 miles – and raise the nearly $30,000 needed to purchase the new machine.

"The sponsorships cost $100 times the mile, so mile one costs $100 and mile 26 costs $2,600," he said. "If you add all of that up, it's exactly the cost of the ultrasound machine."

It was hard work, but LaHouse was glad to do it. He said everything he's been given in life has motivated him to reach out and help others whenever he can.

"For the clients at the Pregnancy Help Center, my goal is that they have all the information they need to make the decisions they're facing," LaHouse said. "I think this new ultrasound machine with its 3D capabilities will really give them that."

Running for a good cause isn't the only thing that LaHouse has done to benefit the community. He volunteers whenever possible and, in the past, has served on various Katy Independent School District committees. Currently, LaHouse is focusing on a career as a manager at an oil and gas company.

When he's not busy pursuing what he describes as a "very demanding" career, LaHouse enjoys traveling and spending time with those who are close to him.

"We love to travel – especially any place we can hike," he said. "We head to the mountains as often as we can."

For more information on the Pregnancy Help Center of West Houston, call 281-578-0078, email info@phckaty.org or visit www.phckaty.org.

ABOUT Tom LaHouse
AGE: 57
OCCUPATION: Risk Ventures director at Global Geophysical
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Katy resident
FAST FACT: In November 2012, LaHouse participated in a Sleep Out event to raise funds for homeless youth.

Megan Mattingly-Arthur is a freelance writer. She can be reached at neighborhoods@chron.com.